Breaking News: US House Votes to End Historic Shutdown
A New Congresswoman Takes Her Oath
In a momentous occasion, Adelita Grijalva, the newest US congresswoman, has been sworn in amidst thunderous applause on the House floor. Her journey to this moment has been a long one, with a seven-week wait due to the government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson cited the shutdown as the reason for the delay, adding a layer of controversy to this already historic event.
The House Resumes Session
After a staggering 54 days, the House is officially back in session. This marks the first time since September 19th that the House has convened, bringing us one step closer to a vote on reopening the government. You can witness this historic moment live by following the link above.
Democratic Leader’s Unique Journey Back to DC
Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern made headlines by taking a train from Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., to avoid flight delays caused by the shutdown. In an interview with CBS News, McGovern shared that people on the train were eager to know when the shutdown would end and whether the healthcare crisis would be addressed. In his opening remarks as the ranking member of the House Rules Committee, McGovern mocked his Republican counterparts, accusing them of taking an extended vacation while Speaker Johnson kept the House out of session. The committee approved the bill without amendment, highlighting the deep political divisions.
White House Blames Democrats for Shutdown
In a media briefing, President Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, placed the blame for the shutdown squarely on the Democrats. She emphasized the damage caused by the shutdown, which included federal workers missing paychecks, disruptions in air travel, and the loss of food benefits. Leavitt also highlighted the economic impact, stating that the US has lost billions of dollars in economic activity. She criticized the Democrats for their weakness and unwillingness to compromise, dragging out the shutdown for seven weeks and causing immense pain to the American public.
Lawmakers Face Travel Chaos on Their Return
House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to keep the chamber out of session for seven weeks put immense pressure on Senate Democrats to reach a shutdown deal. Once an agreement was reached, Johnson urged lawmakers to return immediately to Washington for today’s vote. However, members of Congress faced the same flight delays and cancellations that affected the general public during the spending impasse. The mandatory flight reductions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration increased from 4% to 6%, impacting the busiest airports in the nation. Air traffic controllers, working without pay during the shutdown, called in sick, leading to lengthy delays and adding to the travel chaos.
A New Congresswoman’s First Vote
As the House returns to vote on the shutdown, a new congresswoman, Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, will also be sworn in. Elected seven weeks ago in a special election in Arizona, Grijalva is stepping into her father’s seat, Raul Grijalva, who passed away earlier this year. In a video posted on social media, Grijalva expressed her disbelief at finally being sworn in after such a long wait. She also criticized the Republican-backed spending bill, stating her disappointment that one of her first votes would be on a bill that does nothing to address the healthcare needs of the American people.
Timeline of the Longest Government Shutdown
This government shutdown has shattered records, becoming the longest in US history. Let’s revisit some of the key moments of the last 43 days:
– September 19: The US House passes a resolution to fund the government, but the Senate rejects it later in the day.
– October 1: The federal government shuts down, suspending non-essential services and furloughing thousands of employees.
– October 10: The Trump administration begins laying off federal workers.
– October 11: Trump directs the defense secretary to pay military personnel despite the shutdown.
– October 15: A judge temporarily blocks Trump from laying off federal workers.
– October 24: Hundreds of thousands of federal workers miss their first full paychecks.
– November 1: Money runs out for the government food aid program, SNAP, impacting 42 million Americans.
– November 5: The shutdown becomes the longest in US history after the Senate rejects a spending bill 14 times.
– November 7: The government directs airlines to cut domestic flights, causing delays and cancellations.
– November 9: Senators from both parties reach a deal to end the shutdown.
– November 10: The Senate passes the government funding bill, returning it to the House for approval.
– November 11: The House Rules Committee approves the Senate bill without amendment, sending it to the House floor.
– November 12: The House is set to vote on the funding bill, with President Trump expected to sign it into law.
A Collective Sigh of Relief
Millions of Americans are eagerly awaiting the US House of Representatives’ vote to reopen the federal government. After more than 50 days, House lawmakers have returned to Capitol Hill, with the first order of business being the passage of legislation to reopen the government and restore essential services like food assistance funding for millions. House Speaker Mike Johnson has a narrow majority, and as the vote approaches, he faces several potential obstacles, including flight delays, Democratic opposition, and the slim margin for error within his own party.
Four Potential Obstacles to the House Vote
- Flight Delays: Even politicians are not immune to the shutdown-related flight delays, with US flights now reduced by 6%. Cold weather is adding to the delays, making it challenging for lawmakers to return to Washington in time for the vote.
- Democratic Opposition: The shutdown fight has intensified tensions within the Democratic Party, with some progressives slamming the bill while others consider voting with Republicans to pass it.
- Republican Votes: With a slim majority, Republicans can only afford to lose two votes. Fiscal hawks within the party may vote no, creating uncertainty.
- Healthcare: A key issue throughout the shutdown has been Democrats’ desire to include language preserving healthcare tax credits for Americans. Senate Republicans offered a compromise, granting Democrats a vote in December on extending the subsidies. If premiums rise, it could be politically damaging for Republicans.
The House Votes to End the Shutdown
As the longest government shutdown in US history drags into its 43rd day, the House of Representatives is set to vote on bringing it to an end. Thousands of federal employees have been impacted, with many furloughed or working without pay. Travelers continue to face chaos at US airports due to air traffic control staffing issues. The US Senate, after a month-long deadlock, passed a bill to fund the government through January and extend food assistance programs. Now, the Republican-backed bill is in the House’s hands, with a slim margin for error and potential objections from both sides of the political spectrum. If passed, it will move to President Donald Trump’s desk for approval.